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Unison president tells conference not to fall for ‘lies’ that there is no money for public services
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Ocean Gate, Eastern Docks in Southampton, while on the General Election campaign trail, June 17, 2024

OUTGOING Unison president Libby Nolan reminded the packed hall at the Brighton Conference Centre today that they should not “fall for lies.”

She highlighted the importance of the historic industrial and community struggles by trade unionists and said the July 4 general election offered a chance for real change.

Ms Nolan said that we must get rid of the Tories but the union must also hold an incoming Labour government to account.

She told the conference that the Labour Party must not only stop NHS cuts and privatisation “they must reverse the cuts.”

Ms Nolan said the union and the country “should not fall for lies” that there is no money to spend on public services, it’s about “what they choose to spend the money on.”

And she said she was proud to have represented Unison “on some of the most peaceful and largest demonstrations” she has ever attended.

She told the conference: “Being pro-Palestinian is not being anti-semitic.

“We took the decision not to invite MPs to this conference who did not support a ceasefire.

“We will not stop speaking up for and marching for Palestine and demanding a ceasefire.”

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